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Despotic Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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despotic

[dɪˈspɒtɪk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in politics

Exercising absolute power in a cruel or oppressive way.

Synonyms

authoritarian, autocratic, dictatorial, tyrannical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
despotic

Often used to describe a cruel and oppressive way of ruling, where the leader has absolute power. It carries a strongly negative connotation.

  • The despotic king imposed high taxes and harsh punishments.
  • Many fled the country to escape the despotic rule.
tyrannical

Describes a ruler or leader who uses power in a cruel and unjust way. It also carries a strongly negative connotation.

  • The tyrannical ruler jailed anyone who opposed him.
  • His tyrannical behavior made the employees unhappy.
dictatorial

Used to describe someone acting in a manner that resembles a dictator, often with absolute authority and little concern for others' opinions. Typically used in political or organizational contexts.

  • Her dictatorial management style left no room for employee input.
  • The dictatorial government refused to hold elections.
autocratic

Refers to a ruler or a management style in which one person makes all the decisions without input from others. Similar to 'authoritarian' but often used in organizational or workplace contexts.

  • The CEO's autocratic leadership style made employees feel powerless.
  • An autocratic government is often less efficient than a democratic one due to lack of diverse input.
authoritarian

Used to describe a leadership style or government that values strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom. Common in political or social contexts.

  • The authoritarian regime suppressed free speech and controlled the media.
  • He runs the company in an authoritarian manner, allowing no room for debate.

Examples of usage

  • The despotic ruler arrested anyone who dared to speak out against him.
  • The despotic regime suppressed any form of dissent among the population.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a relationship

Exercising control over someone in an unreasonable or oppressive way.

Synonyms

controlling, domineering, oppressive, tyrannical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
despotic

Used to describe someone who exercises power in a cruel and arbitrary way, often in a government or leadership context.

  • The people suffered under the despotic rule of the corrupt leader.
  • She ran her business in a despotic manner, making decisions without consulting anyone.
domineering

Describes someone who asserts their will over others in an arrogant or overbearing way, often in personal or social contexts.

  • His domineering attitude made it hard for others to work with him.
  • She had a domineering presence that intimidated everyone around her.
oppressive

Used to describe situations, systems, or behaviors that are harsh, burdensome, and unjust, including social or political contexts.

  • The residents longed for freedom from the oppressive regime.
  • The new policies were found to be oppressive to the minority communities.
controlling

Refers to someone who tries to dominate or dictate the actions of others, often in personal or professional relationships but less severe than 'despotic'.

  • Her controlling behavior pushed many of her friends away.
  • He was known for being very controlling with his employees.
tyrannical

Describes leadership or authority that is cruel and unjust, often lacking legality or fairness, commonly used in political and historical contexts.

  • The dictator's tyrannical rule left the country in ruins.
  • She described her father as having a tyrannical approach to parenting.

Examples of usage

  • His despotic behavior towards his partner led to the breakdown of their relationship.
  • She felt suffocated by his despotic demands and decided to end the relationship.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'despotic'

The word 'despotic' originates from the Greek word 'despotikos', which means 'lordly' or 'masterful'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century to describe a ruler or person who exercises absolute power. Over time, 'despotic' has come to also refer to oppressive or tyrannical behavior in various contexts.

See also: despotically, despotism.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,143, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.